Chairman’s Christmas Message

There is one more weekend of rugby until the short mid season break for Christmas. At this time of year I usually send a message outlining our recent achievements, and highlighting how in the past months we have reached heights never previously dreamed of. This is no longer the case.

As you will all know, on the pitch our success continues, with all league teams doing very well and either leading or pushing for the top. As these are leagues we have never reached before this is superb, but instead of these being achievements that we never thought we could achieve, these are now things that we have come to expect. Our expectations have been raised again and again, and every victory in the past few years has been built upon to the point where we all wake in the morning expecting to win, not hoping.

The same is true off the pitch, both on the financial and social sides, where we are stronger than we have ever been.

This isn’t to suggest that there should be any room for complacency, as success on and off the pitch is the product of hard work. It simply means that we can all relax this Christmas, and enjoy a few drinks and a bit of cake, in the knowledge that the graft is paying off.

It also means that we can come back in the New Year, energised for the fight and ready to tackle the challenges that a club of our size, and current stature, face. The massive target we have painted on our backs is one. More hard work, and the confidence in our ability that it has engendered, means that this should be a small mountain to climb and that more laurels await us in April.

Let’s therefore do all we can to ensure that we get to have another massive club day in April to celebrate the effort that everyone has put in. A smaller group will then jet off to represent Belsize at the frontier of world class touring, as always. I believe there are some cricketers joining us in Barbados so not only the pride of our club but the pride of our sport will urge us to win that particular party.

Thank you all for the effort and dedication you have shown to Belsize in 2014. Have a happy Christmas and New Year.